```html MSDN Documentation – Linux

MSDN Linux Documentation

Overview

Linux is a powerful, open‑source operating system that powers servers, desktops, embedded devices, and more. This guide provides essential information for developers working with Linux environments on the Microsoft platform.

Installation

Microsoft offers several ways to run Linux:

  • WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) – Install directly from the Microsoft Store.
  • Azure Virtual Machines – Choose Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, and others.
  • Docker Containers – Use official Linux images for development.

WSL Installation Steps

wsl --install
wsl --set-default-version 2
wsl -d Ubuntu

Command Reference

Common Linux commands useful for developers:

CommandDescription
lsList directory contents
cdChange the current directory
grepSearch text using patterns
chmodChange file permissions
apt-getPackage manager for Debian/Ubuntu
systemctlControl system services

Filesystem Layout

Key directories in a typical Linux system:

  • /bin – Essential user binaries
  • /etc – Configuration files
  • /home – User home directories
  • /var – Variable data such as logs
  • /usr – Secondary hierarchy for read‑only data

Additional Resources

```